Image forming apparatus

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that outputs an image corresponding to image data to an output medium and a load bearing supporting structure that is connected to the image forming unit and can provide strength in a vertical direction when the image forming unit is housed in a housing member. The load bearing supporting structure houses therein a harness connectable to an operation unit that can input a control signal to the image forming unit.

1 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 an image forming unit that outputs an image corresponding to image data to an output medium; and   a load bearing supporting structure that is connected to the image forming unit and can provide strength in a vertical direction when the image forming unit is housed in a housing member.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the load bearing supporting structure houses a harness therein. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an operation unit that can input a control signal to the image forming unit.   
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the operation unit is integrated with the load bearing supporting structure. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the load bearing supporting structure houses a harness connected to the operation unit therein. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an accessory device that feeds an object having image information, which is an image forming object, to the image forming unit.   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 an operation unit that can input a control signal to the image forming unit.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the load bearing supporting structure houses a harness connected to the operation unit therein. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the operation unit is integrated with the load bearing supporting structure. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the load bearing supporting structure has height substantially the same as height of the accessory device. 
   
   
       11 . A method of housing an image forming apparatus, comprising:
 placing the image forming apparatus having a supporting member, which provides load bearing force, on a base holding member; and   setting first to fourth vertical supporting members surrounding the image forming apparatus on the base holding member, at least one of the vertical supporting members being set in contact with the supporting member.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the supporting member has height substantially equal to height of an accessory device integrated with the image forming apparatus. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the supporting member includes a harness connected to a harness of an input device that can supply a control signal to the image forming apparatus. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the supporting members includes a harness connected to a harness of an input device that can supply a control signal to the image forming apparatus. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the supporting member has height substantially equal to height of an accessory device integrated with the image forming apparatus. 
   
   
       16 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 means for forming an output image; and   means for providing load bearing force.   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the providing means houses a harness therein. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 means for inputting a control signal for actuating the image forming unit.   
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the providing means houses a harness connected to the inputting means therein. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 means for feeding an object having image information, which is an image forming object, to the forming means.